Man Utd Transfer News: Rio Ferdinand Won’t Leave, Says Fergie

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Rio Ferdinand will stay at Old Trafford, in spite of the fact that the defenders’ contract expires in the summer, according to the Daily Star.

Ferdinand is free to talk to foreign clubs this month if he wants to, whilst the Red Devils have yet to offer him a contract extension. However, veteran manager Ferguson isn’t concerned about the players’ future.

He said:

“I don’t think his contract issue comes into it at all. Even if he had another three years left, we would still be dealing with his playing time as best we can.

“His preparation is good, he is doing a lot of work on that and his pre-match preparation is also very good. He does things like yoga, which will help him sustain his playing time.

“I don’t think Rio wants to leave and I don’t think he is panicking about that. I think we are comfortable with that.”

Ferdinand began his professional career at West Ham United after coming through their youth ranks, before he was loaned out to Bournemouth and eventually sold to Leeds.

He then joined Manchester United in 2002 to become the then most expensive British footballer in history, believed to be over £30 million.

And he is set to return to his former club West Ham this afternoon as Manchester United visit Upton Park for a third round FA Cup clash. United haven’t won the cup in 9 years but Ferguson still respects the competition.

He said:

“The FA Cup is still the best domestic cup in the world, there is absolutely no doubt about that.”

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Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.